The Springboks will take on Wales in the first of three Tests at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, 2 July. Photo: SA Rugby website
JUST IN: Wales unveil team to face Springboks in first Test
Coach Wayne Pivac has named the Wales team to play the Springboks in the first Test at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday.
The Springboks will take on Wales in the first of three Tests at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, 2 July. Photo: SA Rugby website
Tommy Reffell will win his first senior Wales cap having been selected at openside flanker for this Saturday’s Test against the Springboks. The former U18 and U20 captain will become the 1,178th Welsh men’s international when he takes to the pitch.
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Dan Lydiate starts at blindside flanker, his first international appearance since the match against Ireland in the 2021 Six Nations. Taulupe Faletau (No 8) completes the back row.
George North also features for the first time since the 2021 Six Nations, his last outing for Wales being the fixture against France in the final round of that Championship. He pairs up with Nick Tompkins in the midfield.
Kieran Hardy is named scrum half, his sixth start in a Wales jersey, with captain Dan Biggar winning his 101st cap at flyhalf.
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Hooker Ryan Elias makes his ninth outing in a Wales XV this season. He is joined in the front row by Gareth Thomas (loosehead prop) and Dillon Lewis (tighthead prop). Will Rowlands and Adam Beard are selected to start in the second row for the sixth time together.
In the back three Liam Williams is fullback, while Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams are on the wings.
Rhys Carre features in a Wales match day 23 for the first time this year while Dewi Lake and Tomas Francis are the other front row replacements. Alun Wyn Jones and Josh Navidi provide the remaining forward cover.
Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe and Owen Watkin are also selected among Wales’ replacements.
The players will wear black armbands on Saturday in honour of Wales international #730 Phil Bennett, who died on 12 June.
Wales team for the 1st Test against the Springboks:
15. Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 78 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 16 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys – 102 caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 20 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 39 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints – 100 caps), CAPT
9. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 11 caps);
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 10 caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 27 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 38 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Dragons – 18 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 34 caps)
6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys – 65 caps)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – uncapped)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 89 caps)
Replacements
16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 5 caps)
17. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
18. Tomas Francis (Ospreys 64 caps)
19. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 150 caps)
20. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby – 30 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 33 caps)
22. Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys – 31 caps)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 31 caps)
